Gloria in Excelsis Deo and Plato

John Rutter and the Gloria are meant for one another. I was talking with a fellow blogger and a fantastic musician. It was his contention that while Rutter may lack the depth and breadth of Brahms, Mozart, Verdi - maybe all you need for a fantastic Gloria is pure joy. I experienced that joy while singing the Rutter this weekend. Once again, not everyone gets that rush. Not everyone gets the opportunity to sing the most amazing stuff!

On the flip side, very mundane and earthy - it was a tough night for a lot of folk. Because of the need to set up for a reception in the area where we line - up, the "butt to chair" ration was about 4:1. Some people were left standing - literally. That's unfortunate and, believe me, with my plantar fasciitis I felt their pain. . .again, literally. Sigh. Oh, that everyone might suffer in silence or at least grab a friend and start a complaining team but just keep it between the two of you. Unfortunately that was not the case.

I am in a position where I "know stuff". I am, unbeknownst to most of the Chorale, the chorus manager. I do stuff behind the scenes for the chorus that they have no idea is being done. However, on concert night I become the chorus point person. Line up, organization, information - that's me. Hopefully I do it with style and grace. Last night reminded me why I've learned a lot of life lessons in the last three years.

I was innocently talking with a tenor friend when a bass approached me. I openly looked at him as he approached and the first words out of his mouth were angry, "So, I'm supposed to stand up all night". I tried to explain, calmly and rationally, how this had all transpired (remember, I'm standing and DID stand the whole time before going on stage). He would not hear the explanation and accept the unfortunateness of the situation. He then proceeded to tell me that he didn't really care if it was a major donor event he'd take his dues and leave the Chorale. One of our Executive Board members was informed of this discussion and asked me to get the attention of the Chorale, which I did. I then stepped aside. Again, most unfortunately, the manner in which information about the lack of chairs was communicated with the chorus was less than desirable. After that, a maelstrom of bad feeling poured forth. Between our Marketing Director and myself, we fielded a dozen or so injuries to soul. Again, terribly bad timing, a Chorale member decided they would personally take to task a remarkably kind woman who works for Maryland Hall - in effect circumventing the Chorale staff to vent their spleen on a Maryland Hall worker. Once again, the Marketing director goes into action to pour oil on that troubled water.

At that time, I determined, in consultation with the MD that I should say something to the chorus. My best friend, who warms up the chorus and assists the Conductor, did a few warmups and then I took the bench - the piano bench - and, praying fervently to God for the right words, attempted to put into perspective how the evening had started. "Be Kind to everyon, for you do not know the struggles of another person". I think that, with the Lords help, I managed to sooth some troubled spirits.

When anyone thinks that what I do with the Chorale gleans special privilege or honor. When anyone thinks that I do it as a form of self-aggrandizement. I have to say - that before I took this job back this time, I thought long and hard about where I was as a person. I've learned an incredible amount of things in the last three years: Admit when you are wrong, Just because you survived it doesn't mean it was ever okay, and a soft answer always turns away wrath. More often than not, it is not the good stuff the staff gets to hear. We are there to solve problems - unfortunately some of the problems we have to solve are the problems that some of our own staff start. . . .

I took this job on because of the chorus and how much I care about them. Some do not believe that. Standing in my shoes last night -- processing everyone else's ills - - -and then being able to lay it aside and sing glorious music-- that takes practice. It's the same way I got to Carnegie Hall! Peace be with you ALL